A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. In some countries, casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships. They may also be known as a gaming hall or a gambling house. The term casino can also refer to an individual game such as poker or baccarat. It can also refer to a place where gambling is legal and operated by government-licensed operators.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice among the earliest archaeological finds. However, the modern casino as an institution for gambling did not emerge until the 16th century, during a period of mass public gambling crazes throughout Europe. Italian aristocrats would gather in private clubs called ridotti to gamble, drink and socialize; these were often the precursors of modern casinos.
Casinos make money by charging fees for games that involve chance, such as roulette, blackjack and craps. They also earn money by offering complimentary goods and services to players who regularly spend significant time and money at their establishments, such as free rooms, meals, show tickets and reduced-fare transportation. Such incentives are known as comps.
The financial success of a casino depends on its ability to limit its losses and maximize its gains. In order to do so, it must employ a variety of strategies that vary from game to game, and even within games. While some strategies are complex and require training to learn, others, such as card counting, are simple to execute and can be very profitable.
